Watering hanging baskets?

[Grandadwasthatyou]

Still plodding on with my decision at the start of lockdown to try and make the most of my garden and am doing ok thanks to lots of advice from lovely knowledgeable Mumsnetters.

Have bought some gorgeous hanging baskets ( although haven't a clue what the plants are that are in them!). They look really beautiful. In order not to have to get my stepladders out every time to water them which will be an absolute bind what do people suggest?

The extendable lances seem quite expensive. Do those self watering spikes I have seen on Amazon actually work?

How high are they? I just reach up with the watering can. Take the rose off so you can direct the water right at the roots and keep watering until it starts to drip through.

Put some ice cubes in them

ice cubes might damage the plants.
those watering bottles/bulbs are ok if you can't water for a few days but plants are generally happier if they are drenched completely a few times a week.

Well yes depends how how high, I have a lance but done use it for the basket

I have a two pint milk carton that I use as it's light weight enough to lift above my head

I do all my plants with a hosepipe on very low flow setting. If it i just the hanging basket I take out a jug.

Old milk carton great idea. Thank you all.

I use a plastic squash bottle with holes pierced in the lid. It has a long neck so I can get in under the foliage to water the roots and it's squeezable so I can use it at a lower angle.

I use a measuring jug or an old milk bottle carton.

Stand on a chair?